[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 136 (Tuesday, July 20, 2021)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 38207-38208]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15520]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 136 / Tuesday, July 20, 2021 / 
Presidential Documents

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

[[Page 38207]]

                Proclamation 10232 of July 15, 2021

                
National Atomic Veterans Day, 2021

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On July 16, 1945, the United States detonated the 
                world's first nuclear device in Alamogordo, New Mexico. 
                Better known by its code name, ``Trinity,'' the 
                successful test of the first atomic bomb brought forth 
                a new age of science that changed the lives of many of 
                those who served in our Armed Forces, and forever 
                altered the nature and the risks of war. Just weeks 
                later, the world witnessed the horrors of nuclear 
                destruction at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which marked the 
                end of World War II but opened our eyes to the truth 
                that a nuclear war must never be fought.

                Many brave men and women have risked their lives in 
                service to our Nation, but few know the story of our 
                ``Atomic Veterans''--American military service members 
                who participated in nuclear tests between 1945 and 
                1962, served with United States military forces in or 
                around Hiroshima and Nagasaki through mid-1946, or were 
                held as prisoners of war in or near Hiroshima or 
                Nagasaki. These veterans served at testing sites like 
                the Bikini Atoll and witnessed the destructive power of 
                nuclear weapons firsthand. On National Atomic Veterans 
                Day, we recognize and honor the contributions of 
                America's Atomic Veterans for their sacrifice and 
                dedication to our Nation's security, and recommit to 
                supporting our Atomic Veterans and educating ourselves 
                on the role these patriots played in our national 
                story.

                Atomic Veterans served our Nation with distinction, but 
                their service came at a great cost. Many developed 
                health conditions due to radiation exposure, yet 
                because they were not able to discuss the nature of 
                their service, they were unable to seek medical care or 
                disability compensation from the Department of Veterans 
                Affairs for their illnesses. Decades later in 1996, the 
                United States Congress repealed the Nuclear Radiation 
                and Secrecy Agreements Act, allowing Atomic Veterans to 
                tell their stories and file for benefits. By then, 
                thousands of Atomic Veterans had died without their 
                families knowing the true extent of their service.

                Our Nation has one truly sacred obligation: to properly 
                prepare and equip our troops when we send them into 
                harm's way, and to care for them and their families 
                when they return from service. As Commander in Chief, I 
                am committed to fulfilling our obligation to the Atomic 
                Veterans and their families, and ensuring that all of 
                our Nation's veterans have timely access to needed 
                services, medical care, and benefits.

                On this National Atomic Veterans Day, our country 
                remembers the service and sacrifices of Atomic 
                Veterans. Their heroism and patriotism will never be 
                forgotten and we always honor their bravery and 
                devotion to duty.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of 
                the United States of America, by virtue of the 
                authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws 
                of the United States, do hereby proclaim July 16, 2021, 
                as National Atomic Veterans Day. I call upon all 
                Americans to observe this day with appropriate 
                ceremonies and activities that honor our Nation's 
                Atomic Veterans whose brave service and sacrifice 
                played an important role in the defense of our Nation.

[[Page 38208]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                fifteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                sixth.
                <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT>
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2021-15520
Filed 7-19-21; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F1-P